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Biomedical subjects

S Baig

Publications and source records attributed to S Baig.

44 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

B cells and antibodies in MS.

When the B-cell response was examined by enumeration of immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells, normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)--in contrast to previous beliefs--contained IgG-secreting cells, indeed at an 8-fold higher proportion per 10(4) mononuclear cells (MNC) than blood. As expected, the proportion of IgG-producing cells was greatly increased in MS CSF. Evaluation of antibody (Ab) responses at the cellular level, thereby bypassing draw-backs inherent in determinations of circulating Ab levels, such as Ab binding to target, revealed that in one MS patient group, 57% had, in CSF, cells secreting IgG Ab against myelin basic protein (MBP) and, in another MS group, 55% had, in CSF, cells producing IgG Ab against myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG); both MBP and MAG are possible targets for immune attack in MS. Anti-MBP and anti-MAG IgG antibody-secreting cells could occur in parallel or independently. They were rarely detected in blood, reflecting strong sequestration in CNS CSF. Their possible role in MS pathogenesis is envisaged in light of recently suggested coupling between polyclonal B-cell hyperresponsiveness and antigen-driven specific responses in autoimmune-prone individuals.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1989

Retrovirus in multiple sclerosis.

Presence of cytopathic effect and enzyme reverse transcriptase in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells is described in 2 of 15 patients with multiple sclerosis and none of healthy controls. These findings might indicate: the presence of a new human retrovirus in these individuals, despite the low detection rate, and the shortcomings inherent in methodology used for detection of known human retroviruses in the study of new groups of diseases, such as those with possible autoimmune background.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Intrathecal synthesis of beta-2-microglobulin in multiple sclerosis and aseptic meningo-encephalitis.

Beta-2-microglobulin (beta 2m) levels were studied in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of 52 patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) and of 14 with aseptic meningo-encephalitis (AM). Reference values for beta 2m were defined in 72 subjects of different age groups with tension headache (TH). Plasma levels of beta 2m increased with age in TH controls, particularly in the older age group, while no significant age variation could be detected for CSF beta 2m. Increased levels of beta 2m were found in the CSF and plasma of AM patients and in the CSF in MS. Calculations of CSF/plasma beta 2m ratios showed higher values in AM, reflecting intrathecal beta 2m synthesis, while only borderline alterations were evident in MS. Demonstration of intrathecal production of beta 2m is an additional CSF finding that may be useful in evaluating, among others, inflammatory nervous system disorders, but it has limited importance in the study of MS patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cells producing antibody to measles and herpes simplex virus in cerebrospinal fluid and blood of patients with multiple sclerosis and controls.

The B cell response against measles and herpes simplex virus (HSV) was evaluated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and controls by enumeration of cells secreting anti-measles and anti-HSV antibodies of IgG, IgA and IgM isotypes. We used a nitrocellulose immunospot assay which enables parallel enumeration of numbers of cells secreting total IgG, IgA and IgM. Anti-measles IgG antibody-secreting cells were present in CSF from 21 of 24 MS patients (mean 24 cells/10(4) mononuclear cells), and against HSV in CSF from seven of eight patients (mean 23/10(4) cells). No antibody-secreting cells were detectable in the patients' blood. Ten MS patients examined were negative for cells in CSF and blood producing anti-measles antibodies of IgA and IgM isotypes. Anti-measles IgG antibody secreting cells were also found in CSF from four of 18 controls, and anti-HSV IgG antibody-secreting cells in six of 13, especially in patients with subacute or chronic inflammatory nervous system diseases. Our results confirm that viral antibodies in MS are produced within CSF and that this B cell response is preferentially sequestered to this compartment. Whether this viral B cell response in MS reflects specific activation due to persistence of viral antigens or an epiphenomenon remains to be clarified.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Naloxone in chronic schizophrenia.

The specific narcotic antagonist naloxone (0.4 milligram) was given intravenously to seven chronic schizophrenics who reported that they had very frequent auditory hallucinations. Saline solution was used as a placebo. The coded study did not reveal any effect of naloxone on hallucinations or on global psychopathology.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of color Doppler to study the breathing patterns of fetuses of mothers with diabetes.

The goal of our study was to assess the breathing patterns of the fetuses of the mothers with well-controlled diabetes utilizing color and spectral Doppler technique. Fetal breathing-related nasal fluid flow was studied over gestational ages 28-40 weeks in 33 pregnancies complicated by diabetes and 62 uncomplicated pregnancies. Glycemic control was determined by fingerstick glucose value at the time of testing and HgbA1C drawn every 6 weeks. Each ultrasound examination consisted of the combination of gray scale imaging with color-flow and spectral Doppler analysis. In each case, 10 breath cycles were averaged for each of the following parameters: inspiratory peak and duration, expiratory peak and duration, and respiratory rate. A comparison of the study and control groups for each of the parameters was achieved by an analysis of covariance (ANACOVA). With adjustment for gestational age, no differences between the two groups were measured for any of the five parameters studied. However, there was a positive correlation between expiratory peak and gestational age (r = +0.20, P < 0.042) and between expiratory duration and gestational age (r = +0.24, P < 0.011). Respiratory rate was negatively correlated with gestational age (r = -0.32, P < 0.0006) Since similar fetal breathing patterns are seen across gestation utilizing color flow and spectral Doppler technique in both pregnancies with and without diabetes, this new modality may prove useful in the assessment of fetal well-being in both groups.

Adult↗